Exception prediction before an actual exception during debugging

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided for predicting an exception during a debugging of software code before the debugging encounters the exception. A number of lines X is received. During a debugging of a line number L of the code, upcoming lines consisting of line numbers L+1 through L+X are executed. Based on the execution of the upcoming lines, the exception is predicted to be encountered at line number M, which is within a range of line numbers L+1 through L+X. During the debugging of the line number L, and based on the prediction and the line number being within the range, a warning is displayed that the exception is to be encountered at line number M.

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser.No. 15/006,821 filed Jan. 26, 2016.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to developing software and moreparticularly to software debugging.

A debugging tool is a computer program used to test computer softwareand find and resolve defects (i.e., bugs) that prevent the computersoftware from operating correctly. Known debugging tools support variousdebugging functions, including single-stepping (i.e., running a programstep by step; also known as program animation), breaking the program ata specified event or instruction by means of a breakpoint, and trackingthe values of variables. Some known debugging tools can modify the stateof a computer program while the program is running. Known debuggingtools may have the ability to continue execution of the computer programbeing debugged at a different location in the program to avoid a crashor logical error. The debugging function of single-stepping executescode of a software program one line at a time (i.e., step by step). Aprogrammer who employs single-stepping observes the state of a softwareprogram before and after execution of a particular line of code, therebyallowing an evaluation of the effects of the statement or instructionspecified by the line of code and an analysis of the behavior of theexecuting program.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofpredicting an exception during debugging of software code before thedebugging encounters the exception. The method includes a computerreceiving a number (X) of lines of the software code. The method furtherincludes the computer debugging a current line number L of the softwarecode. The method further includes the computer executing in a new threadupcoming lines of the software code consisting of at least line number(L+1) through line number (L+X) of the software code. The method furtherincludes based on the upcoming lines of the software code being executedin the new thread, the computer predicting that the exception will beencountered at line number M of the software code and determining theline number M is within a range of line number (L+1) through line number(L+X), inclusively. The method further includes based on the exceptionbeing predicted to be encountered at the line number M and the linenumber M being within the range of line number (L+1) through line (L+X),inclusively, and during the debugging of the current line number L, thecomputer displaying a warning that the exception is likely to beencountered at line number M. The method further includes responsive tothe displayed warning, the computer receiving an indication that acorrective action was taken to avoid the exception.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a computerprogram product including a computer-readable storage device and acomputer-readable program code stored in the computer-readable storagedevice. The computer-readable program code includes instructions thatare executed by a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system toimplement a method of predicting an exception during debugging ofsoftware code before the debugging encounters the exception. The methodincludes the computer system receiving a number (X) of lines of thesoftware code. The method further includes the computer system debugginga current line number L of the software code. The method furtherincludes the computer system executing in a new thread upcoming lines ofthe software code consisting of at least line number (L+1) through linenumber (L+X) of the software code. The method further includes based onthe upcoming lines of the software code being executed in the newthread, the computer system predicting that the exception will beencountered at line number M of the software code and determining theline number M is within a range of line number (L+1) through line number(L+X), inclusively. The method further includes based on the exceptionbeing predicted to be encountered at the line number M and the linenumber M being within the range of line number (L+1) through line (L+X),inclusively, and during the debugging of the current line number L, thecomputer system displaying a warning that the exception is likely to beencountered at line number M. The method further includes responsive tothe displayed warning, the computer system receiving an indication thata corrective action was taken to avoid the exception.

In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a computer systemincluding a central processing unit (CPU); a memory coupled to the CPU;and a computer-readable storage device coupled to the CPU. The storagedevice includes instructions that are executed by the CPU via the memoryto implement a method of predicting an exception during debugging ofsoftware code before the debugging encounters the exception. The methodincludes the computer system receiving a number (X) of lines of thesoftware code. The method further includes the computer system debugginga current line number L of the software code. The method furtherincludes the computer system executing in a new thread upcoming lines ofthe software code consisting of at least line number (L+1) through linenumber (L+X) of the software code. The method further includes based onthe upcoming lines of the software code being executed in the newthread, the computer system predicting that the exception will beencountered at line number M of the software code and determining theline number M is within a range of line number (L+1) through line number(L+X), inclusively. The method further includes based on the exceptionbeing predicted to be encountered at the line number M and the linenumber M being within the range of line number (L+1) through line (L+X),inclusively, and during the debugging of the current line number L, thecomputer system displaying a warning that the exception is likely to beencountered at line number M. The method further includes responsive tothe displayed warning, the computer system receiving an indication thata corrective action was taken to avoid the exception.

Embodiments of the present invention provides an enhanced debuggingprocess that speeds up an analysis of an exception and taking a localcorrective action that fixes the exception. Further, embodiments of thepresent invention may analyze a function for possible exceptions vialocally changing variables. Still further, embodiments of the presentinvention provide a generation of exception prediction information for amethod. Other embodiments present possible exceptions that result fromlocal modifications of respective combinations of variables during adebugging session.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for predicting an exception beforesingle-stepping debugging of software encounters an actual exception, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process of predicting an exception beforesingle-stepping debugging of software encounters an actual exception,where the process is implemented in the system of FIG. 1, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a function being debugged using the process ofFIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer that is included in the systemof FIG. 1 and that implements the process of FIG. 2, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Embodiments of the present invention realize that while a programmer isemploying single-stepping provided by known debugging tools, anexception (e.g., a Null Pointer Exception (NPE)) being encounteredcauses the debug control to go to another file where the exception iscaught, which happens because the programmer typically does not inspectthe values of all variables in all step overs. It is extremely commonfor a programmer using known debugging techniques to quickly step overthe lines of code in order to reach the exception location. Existingdebugging tools are limited to stopping at the line of a particularexception, rather than stopping a particular number of lines before anexception is expected to be encountered.

Embodiments of the present invention predict an exception during adebugging session before single-stepping encounters the actualexception. The prediction of the exception is accomplished by analyzingthe next “X” lines of code, where X is a specified integer greater thanor equal to one. The number of lines X is a parameter that may be passedby a user and that depends on the code that is being debugged. By beingnotified of the predicted exception, the user can more easily analyzethe code and take corrective actions. In one embodiment, an option isavailable to allow the user to specify certain types of exceptions thatare to be predicted and whose prediction the user is to be notifiedabout, whereas other types of exceptions that are not specified are notpredicted. In one embodiment, the notification about the predictionincludes mentioning the line number at which the exception is likely tobe encountered. The notification helps the user locate the exceptionlocation as well as quickly find out the reason for the exception. Theuser need not run the debugger again with the same configuration as doneearlier to reproduce the exception and possibly modify the code to fixthe exception situation. Embodiments of the present invention provideexception prediction during debugging that advantageously avoidscorrupting data and/or exiting the application.

System for Predicting an Exception

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for predicting an exceptionbefore single-stepping debugging of software encounters an actualexception, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.System 100 includes a computer 102, which executes a debugger 104, whichis a software-based debugging tool. Debugger 104 has single-steppingcapability and includes a software-based exception prediction tool 106which predicts an exception before single-stepping encounters an actualexception during a debugging session. Parameters 108 provided by a userand software code 110 are received by exception prediction tool 106.Parameters 108 include a number (i.e., X) of lines of code 110, whichdetermines which lines of code subsequent to a line of code currentlybeing debugged are to be run via a new thread (not shown). In oneembodiment, as debugger 104 debugs a line number L of code 110 withsingle-stepping, exception prediction tool 106 executes in a new threadupcoming lines of code included in code 110 which include an inclusiverange of line numbers (L+1) through (L+X).

In another embodiment, exception prediction tool 106 determines that aspecified block (e.g., a for loop or a while loop) of code starts, butdoes not end, within the range of line numbers (L+1) through (L+X)included in code 110. In this other embodiment, the upcoming lines ofcode in code 110 include line numbers (L+1) through the end of thespecified block, where the end of the block is at a line number of code110 that is after line number (L+X).

Exception prediction tool 106 determines data (i.e., variable data) thatchanges in the execution of the upcoming lines of code and stores thevariable data in temporary variables 112 in a data repository (notshown) so that the actions in the execution of the upcoming lines ofcode are undone after the prediction of the exception is completed.

By analyzing the results of executing the upcoming lines included incode 110, exception prediction tool 106 predicts that an exception islikely to occur at a particular line number M of code 110. In oneembodiment, line number M is in the inclusive range of line numbers(L+1) through (L+X). In another embodiment in which the specified blockof code is determined to start within the range of line numbers (L+1)through (L+X) but ends after line number (L+X), the line number M iswithin the range of line number (L+1) through the end of the specifiedblock.

Exception prediction tool 106 generates and displays an exceptionprediction 114 to a user. Exception prediction 114 is generated based onthe analysis of the results of executing the upcoming lines included incode 110. Exception prediction 114 is displayed to the user in responseto the debugging of the line of code 110 having line number L (or inresponse to the debugging of a line of code 110 having the line numberat the beginning of a function whose execution encounters the predictedexception). Exception prediction 114 is displayed to the user beforedebugger 104 debugs the line of code 110 having line number M.

In one embodiment, parameters 108 include one or more types ofexceptions to be predicted and exception prediction tool 106 predictsonly an exception that is of a type that is included in the one or moretypes of exceptions included in parameters 108.

The functionality of the components shown in FIG. 1 is described in moredetail in the discussion of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 presented below.

Process for Predicting an Exception

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process of predicting an exception beforesingle-stepping debugging of software encounters an actual exception,where the process is implemented in the system of FIG. 1, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention. The process of FIG. 2 beginsat step 200. In step 202, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1)receives user selection(s) of a number (i.e., X) of lines of codeincluded in code 110 (see FIG. 1) and optionally includes a type (i.e.,T) of an exception whose prediction the user desires a notification.

In step 204 and during a debugging of code 110 (see FIG. 1) thatincludes a line by line stepping through code 110 (see FIG. 1),exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) debugs a current line L ofcode 110 (see FIG. 1).

In step 206, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) (1) copiesvariable data for upcoming lines (L+1) through (L+X) of code included incode 110 (see FIG. 1) into temporary variables 112 (see FIG. 1) and (2)runs the upcoming lines of code included in code 110 (see FIG. 1) whichuses temporary variables 112 (see FIG. 1). In one embodiment, runningthe upcoming lines of code is performed via a new thread.

In step 208, based on the run of the upcoming lines of code in step 206,exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) predicts that an exceptionwill be encountered in response to single-stepping debugging of linenumber M, which is within the inclusive range of line numbers (L+1)through (L+X). In one embodiment, step 202 includes exception predictiontool 106 (see FIG. 1) receiving the type T of the exception, and step208 includes exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) predicting theexception only if exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) determinesin step 208 that the predicted exception is of the type T.

In step 210, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) displays awarning to the user during the single-stepping debug of current line Lthat the exception predicted in step 208 is likely to occur when thesingle-stepping debugging reaches line number M.

In an alternative embodiment, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1)determines that a specified block (e.g., a for loop or a while loop)starts, but does not end, in the range of lines numbers (L+1) through(L+X). In this alternative embodiment, exception prediction tool 106(see FIG. 1) determines that the specified block ends at line number(L+X+Z), which is a line number that occurs in code 110 (see FIG. 1)after line number (L+X). In this case, the upcoming lines of codeincluded in code 110 (see FIG. 1) are the inclusive range of linenumbers (L+1) through (L+X+Z), which includes the aforementioned linenumber M at which the predicted exception is likely to occur.

In step 212, without requiring the debugger 104 (see FIG. 1) to bere-run with the same configuration being used in the current debuggingsession to reproduce the exception, the user (1) takes corrective actionto avoid the predicted exception when line number M is the current linebeing debugged by single-stepping, (2) locally modifies a combination ofvariables to investigate other possible exceptions that may occur byexecuting the upcoming lines of code, or (3) writes a potential fix ofcode 110 (see FIG. 1) to avoid the predicted exception, andsubsequently, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) receives anindication that the aforementioned corrective action, locally modifiedcombination of variables, or writing of the potential fix was performed.

In step 214, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) determineswhether more debugging is required in the debugging session. Ifexception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) determines in step 214 thatmore debugging is required, then the Yes branch of step 214 is taken andstep 216 is performed.

In step 216, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) assigns thecurrent line L to be line (L+1) and the process loops back to step 204,as described above.

Returning to step 214, if exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1)determines that that more debugging is not required, then the debuggingsession is complete, the No branch of step 214 is taken, and step 218 isperformed.

The process of FIG. 2 ends at step 218.

In one embodiment, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) presentsoptions to a user, so that the user may specify that the user wants toreceive warnings about only particular predicted exceptions during adebugging session. A user may benefit from prior warning in step 210(see FIG. 2) about particular exceptions the user has identified priorto step 210, such as ClassCastException, IndexOutOfBoundsException,NullPointerException, etc.

The process of FIG. 2 is a programming language independent process. Inone embodiment, the running of the upcoming lines of code in step 206 isperformed via a new thread so that the running of the upcoming lines isundoable. If the running the upcoming lines of code in step 206 causes amodification of a variable, then exception prediction tool 106 (seeFIG. 1) flushes off (i.e., undoes) all of the X steps carried out instep 206. Exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) copies data invariables that are modified in step 206 into temporary variables 112(see FIG. 1) to ensure that the variable data does not impact the maindebugging flow. A utility makes a copy in step 204 before modifying thevariable data in step 206; otherwise, the running of the upcoming linesin step 206 would use the same variables used by the main debugging. Theprediction of exceptions provided by the process of FIG. 2 is a helpertool in debugging and does not interfere with the normal flow ofdebugging. To provide performance optimization, only the variables thatare modified in step 206 are copied.

In one embodiment, prior to step 202, the user makes a selection thatindicates whether a debugging session will utilize only conventionaldebugging techniques or will utilize the process of FIG. 2.

The running of upcoming lines in 206 may perform input/output (I/O)functions, which need to be undone after the completion of one passthrough the process of FIG. 2. Exception prediction tool 106 (seeFIG. 1) may undo the performance of an I/O function by (1) making a copyof an I/O stream, or (2) using a predictor mode for that particular I/O,where the predictor mode provides the process of FIG. 2, and is incontrast to a conventional debugging mode. The user is aware of thepredictor mode because exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1)displays the result of debugging and running the upcoming lines of codewith a visual indicator that indicates the predictor mode is active.

In one embodiment, a package level filter is included in system 100 (seeFIG. 1) which allows exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) toidentify methods under a particular package that cannot be undone afterbeing run in step 206. In the cases in which the method in a packagecannot be undone, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) dynamicallychanges the predictor point from being X lines in advance of thedebugging point (i.e., the line currently subject to thesingle-stepping) to being the same as the debugging point.

Example

FIG. 3 is an example of a function 300 being debugged using the processof FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Inthe discussion of FIG. 3 presented below, line numbers refer to linenumbers of function 300. In step 204 (see FIG. 2), exception predictiontool 106 (see FIG. 1) performs single-stepping debugging at line number20. If fragmentRoot in line number 20 returned a null value, then thereis a null pointer exception at line number 21. If step 202 (see FIG. 2)received a value of X as an integer greater than or equal to one, thenin step 206 (see FIG. 2), exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1)runs the upcoming lines of code (i.e., line numbers 21 through 21+X) ina new thread. Based on the results of running of the upcoming lines ofcode, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) in step 208 (see FIG.2) predicts the null pointer exception at line number 21 and in step 210(see FIG. 2) warns the user of exception prediction tool 106 (seeFIG. 1) of the null pointer exception.

If the value of X that exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1)receives in step 202 (see FIG. 2) is 7, then exception prediction tool106 (see FIG. 1) in step 208 (see FIG. 2) predicts one or moreexceptions in the next seven lines that follow line number 20. Forinstance, exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) predicts the nullpointer exception at line number 21. In step 210 (see FIG. 2), exceptionprediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) displays the following warning to auser: “There would be a null pointer exception at line number 21.”Exception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) stops predicting in step 208(see FIG. 2) after predicting the first exception it encounters, whichin the example of FIG. 3 is the null pointer exception at line number21. The warning to the user helps the user take corrective action andfix the problem indicated by the exception well before the singlestepping in the debugging session encounters the actual exception. Ifcorrective action is taken in step 212 (see FIG. 2) for the firstexception predicted in step 208 (see FIG. 2) (e.g., the null pointerexception at line number 21 in FIG. 3), then exception prediction tool106 (see FIG. 1) determines whether there is a next predicted exception(e.g., the classcast exception at line number 24 in FIG. 3) based on theexecution of the upcoming lines of code. If exception prediction tool106 (see FIG. 1) determines that there is a next predicted exception,then steps 210 and 212 (see FIG. 2) are repeated to notify the userabout and take corrective action for the next predicted exception.

In the example in which X=7, the earliest in the debugging session thatexception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) predicts the classcastexception at line number 24 is in response to debugging line number 17(not shown) because line number 24 is the last line in the seven linesthat follow line number 17.

Computer System

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer that is included in the systemof FIG. 1 and that implements the process of FIG. 2, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. Computer 102 is a computer systemthat generally includes a central processing unit (CPU) 402, a memory404, an input/output (I/O) interface 406, and a bus 408. Further,computer 102 is coupled to I/O devices 410 and a computer data storageunit 412. CPU 402 performs computation and control functions of computer102, including executing instructions included in program code 414 forexception prediction tool 106 (see FIG. 1) to perform a method ofpredicting an exception during debugging of software code before thedebugging encounters the exception, where the instructions are executedby CPU 402 via memory 404. CPU 402 may include a single processing unit,or be distributed across one or more processing units in one or morelocations (e.g., on a client and server).

Memory 404 includes a known computer readable storage medium, which isdescribed below. In one embodiment, cache memory elements of memory 404provide temporary storage of at least some program code (e.g., programcode 414) in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrievedfrom bulk storage while instructions of the program code are executed.Moreover, similar to CPU 402, memory 404 may reside at a single physicallocation, including one or more types of data storage, or be distributedacross a plurality of physical systems in various forms. Further, memory404 can include data distributed across, for example, a local areanetwork (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

I/O interface 406 includes any system for exchanging information to orfrom an external source. I/O devices 410 include any known type ofexternal device, including a display device, keyboard, etc. Bus 408provides a communication link between each of the components in computer102, and may include any type of transmission link, includingelectrical, optical, wireless, etc.

I/O interface 406 also allows computer 102 to store information (e.g.,data or program instructions such as program code 414) on and retrievethe information from computer data storage unit 412 or another computerdata storage unit (not shown). Computer data storage unit 412 includes aknown computer-readable storage medium, which is described below. In oneembodiment, computer data storage unit 412 is a non-volatile datastorage device, such as a magnetic disk drive (i.e., hard disk drive) oran optical disc drive (e.g., a CD-ROM drive which receives a CD-ROMdisk).

Memory 404 and/or storage unit 412 may store computer program code 414that includes instructions that are executed by CPU 402 via memory 404to predict an exception during debugging of software code before thedebugging encounters the exception. Although FIG. 4 depicts memory 404as including program code 414, the present invention contemplatesembodiments in which memory 404 does not include all of code 414simultaneously, but instead at one time includes only a portion of code414.

Further, memory 404 may include an operating system (not shown) and mayinclude other systems not shown in FIG. 4.

Storage unit 412 and/or one or more other computer data storage units(not shown) that are coupled to computer 102 may store any combinationof: parameters 108 (see FIG. 1), code 110 (see FIG. 1), and exceptionprediction 114 (see FIG. 1).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in a first embodiment,the present invention may be a method; in a second embodiment, thepresent invention may be a system; and in a third embodiment, thepresent invention may be a computer program product.

Any of the components of an embodiment of the present invention can bedeployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider that offers todeploy or integrate computing infrastructure with respect to predictingan exception during debugging of software code before the debuggingencounters the exception. Thus, an embodiment of the present inventiondiscloses a process for supporting computer infrastructure, where theprocess includes providing at least one support service for at least oneof integrating, hosting, maintaining and deploying computer-readablecode (e.g., program code 414) in a computer system (e.g., computer 102)including one or more processors (e.g., CPU 402), wherein theprocessor(s) carry out instructions contained in the code causing thecomputer system to predict an exception during debugging of softwarecode before the debugging encounters the exception. Another embodimentdiscloses a process for supporting computer infrastructure, where theprocess includes integrating computer-readable program code into acomputer system including a processor. The step of integrating includesstoring the program code in a computer-readable storage device of thecomputer system through use of the processor. The program code, uponbeing executed by the processor, implements a method of predicting anexception during debugging of software code before the debuggingencounters the exception.

While it is understood that program code 414 for predicting an exceptionduring debugging of software code before the debugging encounters theexception may be deployed by manually loading directly in client, serverand proxy computers (not shown) via loading a computer-readable storagemedium (e.g., computer data storage unit 412), program code 414 may alsobe automatically or semi-automatically deployed into computer 102 bysending program code 414 to a central server or a group of centralservers. Program code 414 is then downloaded into client computers(e.g., computer 102) that will execute program code 414. Alternatively,program code 414 is sent directly to the client computer via e-mail.Program code 414 is then either detached to a directory on the clientcomputer or loaded into a directory on the client computer by a buttonon the e-mail that executes a program that detaches program code 414into a directory. Another alternative is to send program code 414directly to a directory on the client computer hard drive. In a case inwhich there are proxy servers, the process selects the proxy servercode, determines on which computers to place the proxy servers' code,transmits the proxy server code, and then installs the proxy server codeon the proxy computer. Program code 414 is transmitted to the proxyserver and then it is stored on the proxy server.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method that performs theprocess steps on a subscription, advertising and/or fee basis. That is,a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, can offer to create,maintain, support, etc. a process of predicting an exception duringdebugging of software code before the debugging encounters theexception. In this case, the service provider can create, maintain,support, etc. a computer infrastructure that performs the process stepsfor one or more customers. In return, the service provider can receivepayment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement,and/or the service provider can receive payment from the sale ofadvertising content to one or more third parties.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) (memory 404 and computer data storageunit 412) having computer readable program instructions 414 thereon forcausing a processor (e.g., CPU 402) to carry out aspects of the presentinvention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions (e.g., program code 414) for use by aninstruction execution device (e.g., computer 102). The computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronicstorage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, anelectromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of morespecific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes thefollowing: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random accessmemory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory(SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanicallyencoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groovehaving instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination ofthe foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, isnot to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radiowaves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagneticwaves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signalstransmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code 414)described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processingdevices (e.g., computer 102) from a computer readable storage medium orto an external computer or external storage device (e.g., computer datastorage unit 412) via a network (not shown), for example, the Internet,a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. Thenetwork may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmissionfibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gatewaycomputers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card (not shown) ornetwork interface (not shown) in each computing/processing devicereceives computer readable program instructions from the network andforwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in acomputer readable storage medium within the respectivecomputing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code 414) forcarrying out operations of the present invention may be assemblerinstructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machineinstructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmwareinstructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object codewritten in any combination of one or more programming languages,including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such asthe “C” programming language or similar programming languages. Thecomputer readable program instructions may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, forexample, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays(FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computerreadable program instructions by utilizing state information of thecomputer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations (e.g., FIG. 2) and/or block diagrams (e.g., FIG.1 and FIG. 4) of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer programproducts according to embodiments of the invention. It will beunderstood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or blockdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable programinstructions (e.g., program code 414).

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor (e.g., CPU 402) of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus (e.g.,computer 102) to produce a machine, such that the instructions, whichexecute via the processor of the computer or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. Thesecomputer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable storage medium (e.g., computer data storage unit 412) that candirect a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/orother devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions (e.g., program code 414) mayalso be loaded onto a computer (e.g. computer 102), other programmabledata processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmableapparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process,such that the instructions which execute on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinfor purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claimsare intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of predicting an exception during adebugging of software code before the debugging encounters theexception, the method implemented by computer-readable program codebeing executed by a processor of a computer, and the method comprisingthe steps of: the computer receiving a number (X) of lines of thesoftware code, wherein X is an integer greater than one; during adebugging of a line number L of the software code, the computerexecuting upcoming lines of the software code consisting of at leastline number (L+1) through line number (L+X) of the software code,wherein L is an integer greater than zero; based on the upcoming linesof the software code being executed, the computer predicting that theexception will be encountered at a line number M of the software codeand determining the line number M is within a range of line number (L+1)through line number (L+X), inclusively, wherein M is an integer; andduring the debugging of the line number L of the software code and basedon the exception being predicted to be encountered at the line number Mand the line number M being within the range of line number (L+1)through line (L+X), inclusively, the computer displaying a warning thatthe exception is to be encountered at the line number M.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising the steps of: the computer receiving atype of an exception; and the computer determining the predictedexception is of the type received, wherein the step of displaying thewarning is further based on the predicted exception being of the typereceived.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: thecomputer locally changing a variable in a function to multiple values,the function included in the upcoming lines; the computer analyzing aresult of repeated performances of the step of executing the upcominglines, each performance of the step of executing the upcoming linescorresponding to a respective value in the multiple values; and based onthe analyzed result, the computer predicting multiple possibleexceptions resulting from the multiple values to which the variable hadbeen locally changed.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: the computer receiving a number (Y) of lines of the softwarecode, wherein Y is an integer greater than one; the computer debugging acurrent line number A of the software code, wherein A is an integergreater than zero; the computer determining that a specified block ofthe software code begins within a range of a line number (A+1) of thesoftware code and a line number (A+Y) of the software code and ends at aline number (A+Y+Z), which is after line number (A+Y), wherein Z is aninteger greater than zero; the computer executing in a new thread otherupcoming lines of the software code consisting of at least line number(A+1) through line number (A+Y+Z) of the software code; based on theother upcoming lines of the software code being executed in the newthread, the computer predicting that another exception will beencountered at line number N of the software code and determining theline number N is within a range of line number (A+1) through line number(A+Y+Z), inclusively, wherein N is an integer; based on the exceptionbeing predicted to be encountered at the line number N and the linenumber N being within the range of line number (A+1) through line(A+Y+Z), inclusively, and during the debugging of the current linenumber A, the computer displaying a warning that the other exception isto be encountered at line number N; and the computer receiving anindication that a corrective action was taken to avoid the otherexception.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of thecomputer receiving an indication that a corrective action was taken toavoid the exception, the indication being received without a seconddebugging of the software code, wherein the second debugging reproducesthe exception and is subsequent to the debugging of the software code.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of executing the upcominglines of the software code includes copying variable data into temporaryvariables and executing the upcoming lines of the software code by usingthe temporary variables, wherein the step of copying avoids affecting anormal flow of the debugging of the software code.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the steps of: the computer determining thatan execution of the upcoming lines includes an action of input/output(I/O); based on the action of I/O being included in the execution of theupcoming lines, the computer copying a stream in which the action of I/Ois performed; and the computer undoing the action of I/O afterperforming the step of executing the upcoming lines.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the step of: providing at least one supportservice for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining,and deploying computer-readable program code in the computer, theprogram code being executed by a processor of the computer to implementthe steps of receiving the number of lines, executing the upcominglines, predicting that the exception will be encountered at the linenumber M, determining the line number M is within the range, anddisplaying the warning.
 9. A computer program product, comprising: acomputer-readable storage device; and a computer-readable program codestored in the computer-readable storage device, the computer-readableprogram code containing instructions that are executed by a centralprocessing unit (CPU) of a computer system to implement a method ofpredicting an exception during debugging of software code before thedebugging encounters the exception, the method comprising the steps of:the computer system receiving a number (X) of lines of the softwarecode, wherein X is an integer greater than one; during a debugging of aline number L of the software code, the computer system executingupcoming lines of the software code consisting of at least line number(L+1) through line number (L+X) of the software code, wherein L is aninteger greater than zero; based on the upcoming lines of the softwarecode being executed, the computer system predicting that the exceptionwill be encountered at a line number M of the software code anddetermining the line number M is within a range of line number (L+1)through line number (L+X), inclusively, wherein M is an integer; andduring the debugging of the line number L of the software code and basedon the exception being predicted to be encountered at the line number Mand the line number M being within the range of line number (L+1)through line (L+X), inclusively, the computer system displaying awarning that the exception is to be encountered at the line number M.10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the method furthercomprises the steps of: the computer system receiving a type of anexception; and the computer system determining the predicted exceptionis of the type received, wherein the step of displaying the warning isfurther based on the predicted exception being of the type received. 11.The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the method furthercomprises the steps of: the computer system locally changing a variablein a function to multiple values, the function included in the upcominglines; the computer system analyzing a result of repeated performancesof the step of executing the upcoming lines, each performance of thestep of executing the upcoming lines corresponding to a respective valuein the multiple values; and based on the analyzed result, the computersystem predicting multiple possible exceptions resulting from themultiple values to which the variable had been locally changed.
 12. Thecomputer program product of claim 9, wherein the method furthercomprises the steps of: the computer system receiving a number (Y) oflines of the software code, wherein Y is an integer greater than one;the computer system debugging a current line number A of the softwarecode, wherein A is an integer greater than zero; the computer systemdetermining that a specified block of the software code begins within arange of a line number (A+1) of the software code and a line number(A+Y) of the software code and ends at a line number (A+Y+Z), which isafter line number (A+Y), wherein Z is an integer greater than zero; thecomputer system executing in a new thread other upcoming lines of thesoftware code consisting of at least line number (A+1) through linenumber (A+Y+Z) of the software code; based on the other upcoming linesof the software code being executed in the new thread, the computersystem predicting that another exception will be encountered at linenumber N of the software code and determining the line number N iswithin a range of line number (A+1) through line number (A+Y+Z),inclusively, wherein N is an integer; based on the exception beingpredicted to be encountered at the line number N and the line number Nbeing within the range of line number (A+1) through line (A+Y+Z),inclusively, and during the debugging of the current line number A, thecomputer system displaying a warning that the other exception is to beencountered at line number N; and the computer system receiving anindication that a corrective action was taken to avoid the otherexception.
 13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein themethod further comprises the step of the computer system receiving anindication that a corrective action was taken to avoid the exception,the indication being received without a second debugging of the softwarecode, wherein the second debugging reproduces the exception and issubsequent to the debugging of the software code.
 14. The computerprogram product of claim 9, wherein the step of executing the upcominglines of the software code includes copying variable data into temporaryvariables and executing the upcoming lines of the software code by usingthe temporary variables, wherein the step of copying avoids affecting anormal flow of the debugging of the software code.
 15. A computer systemcomprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a memory coupled to theCPU; and a computer readable storage device coupled to the CPU, thestorage device containing instructions that are executed by the CPU viathe memory to implement a method of predicting an exception duringdebugging of software code before the debugging encounters theexception, the method comprising the steps of: the computer systemreceiving a number (X) of lines of the software code, wherein X is aninteger greater than one; during a debugging of a line number L of thesoftware code, the computer system executing upcoming lines of thesoftware code consisting of at least line number (L+1) through linenumber (L+X) of the software code, wherein L is an integer greater thanzero; based on the upcoming lines of the software code being executed,the computer system predicting that the exception will be encountered ata line number M of the software code and determining the line number Mis within a range of line number (L+1) through line number (L+X),inclusively, wherein M is an integer; and during the debugging of theline number L of the software code and based on the exception beingpredicted to be encountered at the line number M and the line number Mbeing within the range of line number (L+1) through line (L+X),inclusively, the computer system displaying a warning that the exceptionis to be encountered at the line number M.
 16. The computer system ofclaim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: thecomputer system receiving a type of an exception; and the computersystem determining the predicted exception is of the type received,wherein the step of displaying the warning is further based on thepredicted exception being of the type received.
 17. The computer systemof claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: thecomputer system locally changing a variable in a function to multiplevalues, the function included in the upcoming lines; the computer systemanalyzing a result of repeated performances of the step of executing theupcoming lines, each performance of the step of executing the upcominglines corresponding to a respective value in the multiple values; andbased on the analyzed result, the computer system predicting multiplepossible exceptions resulting from the multiple values to which thevariable had been locally changed.
 18. The computer system of claim 15,wherein the method further comprises the steps of: the computer systemreceiving a number (Y) of lines of the software code, wherein Y is aninteger greater than one; the computer system debugging a current linenumber A of the software code, wherein A is an integer greater thanzero; the computer system determining that a specified block of thesoftware code begins within a range of a line number (A+1) of thesoftware code and a line number (A+Y) of the software code and ends at aline number (A+Y+Z), which is after line number (A+Y), wherein Z is aninteger greater than zero; the computer system executing in a new threadother upcoming lines of the software code consisting of at least linenumber (A+1) through line number (A+Y+Z) of the software code; based onthe other upcoming lines of the software code being executed in the newthread, the computer system predicting that another exception will beencountered at line number N of the software code and determining theline number N is within a range of line number (A+1) through line number(A+Y+Z), inclusively, wherein N is an integer; based on the exceptionbeing predicted to be encountered at the line number N and the linenumber N being within the range of line number (A+1) through line(A+Y+Z), inclusively, and during the debugging of the current linenumber A, the computer system displaying a warning that the otherexception is to be encountered at line number N; and the computer systemreceiving an indication that a corrective action was taken to avoid theother exception.
 19. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the methodfurther comprises the step of the computer system receiving anindication that a corrective action was taken to avoid the exception,the indication being received without a second debugging of the softwarecode, wherein the second debugging reproduces the exception and issubsequent to the debugging of the software code.
 20. The computersystem of claim 15, wherein the step of executing the upcoming lines ofthe software code includes copying variable data into temporaryvariables and executing the upcoming lines of the software code by usingthe temporary variables, wherein the step of copying avoids affecting anormal flow of the debugging of the software code.